MC’s admissions website ranked among the top higher ed sites in United States

Oct. 14, 2009
Contact: Office of Communications
865.981.8209

Maryville College announced today that its admissions web site has been recognized as among the most highly rated in the country in the 11th annual My College Options® Enrollment Power Index® (EPI), an analysis of all four-year college and university web sites.

“We are proud to have our admissions website recognized by My College Options as one of the leading sites in the nation,” said Bill Sliwa, vice president for enrollment. “We developed our site with the knowledge that potential students would be looking here for critical admissions information. As a result, we have made strides to constantly update our site with the latest tools and information that meet the needs of students and ensure that they can learn about what we have to offer.”

In late 2008, Maryville College undertook a dramatic reskinning of its site. This redesign effort merged the unique photography used by the school and its ‘Stretch Your Mind’ tagline into the online medium. In addition to this “looks” overhaul, the site adopted the Common Application for its prospective students, integrated student, staff and faculty blogs and made certain that future students would find their way easily to the most needed information.

MyCollegeOptions.org is the nation’s largest online college planning program created by the National Research Center for College & University Admissions™ (NRCCUA®). Every summer, the staff of college admissions and Internet experts conducts a research-based analysis that measures how well college and university websites provide information to prospective students to assist them through the application process.

“My College Options has identified that increasing numbers of students are using online resources for their college search and preparation,” said Don Munce, President of NRCCUA. “As this trend continues, the admissions websites that integrate innovative and interactive technology will be uniquely positioned to engage prospective students.”

The study grades over 3,000 institutions on a 100-point scale, including functionality, design and technology components. The criteria for the study is reviewed and updated annually by internal experts as well as current high school students. Each institution was rated by over 1,000 current high school students.

Statistical tests are used to determine the specific criteria to be used and their relative importance to students. This year’s study examined 34 different criteria in four main categories: admissions page design and navigation, web site interaction and online admissions tools, ability to find key admissions information, and ability to contact the admissions office.

Additional information on the EPI study is available at www.nrccua.org/epireport.

Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state's third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the fall 2009 semester is 1,103.